What do Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and new Patriots rookie Jeremy Gallon all have in common? Well, they are all smaller slot receivers who were drafted in the seventh round or went undrafted.

The shifty 5-foot-7 receiver out of Michigan feels that New England is the perfect fit for a person of his stature.

"They're known for having smaller guys," Gallon said shortly after he was selected. "They seem to just keep producing smaller guys that work in smaller spaces against big people. I just felt like it would be a good fit here as far myself and how I play and what I can bring and what they have for me to bring to the table."

When asked in his post-draft conference call if he models his game after Welker and Edelman, Gallon was quick to say yes. For the Patriots' final draft pick, players like them have shown that, even in the NFL, a receiver's height isn't everything.

"Absolutely. They’re tough, small guys and they’re able to work in small spaces versus big guys, Gallon said. "I try to model my game after them because they’re great guys, they’re great players. Everybody looks at the size and what they can bring to the table as like a 6-2 guy or as far as 5-7 or 5-10 guy. To me, I just think that doesn’t matter. It’s what you can bring to the table as far as your heart and your ability to play the game."

Gallon was highly productive in college, racking up 169 receptions, 2,655 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three years as a regular target in the Michigan offense. In 2013, he re-wrote the record books in Ann Arbor, breaking Braylon Edwards' single-season yardage record with 1,373 yards. He also set the Big Ten single-game receiving yardage record by recording 369 yards on 14 receptions versus Indiana.

Gallon, like Welker, Edelman and Amendola, embraces his size and he uses what many would believe is a disadvantage at the wide receiver position to succeed. He uses his lower center of gravity to get in and out his breaks very quickly, making his height and small frame work for him. He works back to the ball aggressively, plucking the ball with his strong hands, rather than allowing the ball to come into his body. For someone his size, Gallon looks and plays much bigger on tape, excelling in traffic and contested situations. Gallon runs the short section of the route tree with precision and gets good separation on defenders, much like the other slot receivers that have succeeded in New England.

Gallon is excellent in space after the catch, using his quickness to slip by defenders to gain extra yardage. The ex-Wolverine has the vision of a great running back, following his blocks very well. He always looks a step ahead of the defense with the ball in his hands. He is a slippery runner, making defenders freeze and stop their feet due to his quick cuts and sidesteps. Although he won't be mistaken for Anquan Boldin's physicality after the catch, Gallon is a tough runner and he is not afraid to take a hit in the middle of the field. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine but he does not have game-breaking straight-line speed and he gets caught from behind more often than one would think.

So with Amendola and Edelman already in place, where would Gallon fit in the Patriots' offense and will he make the team?

With Amendola's injury history, Gallon should make the team as a back-up slot receiver. His clean route running and his ability to play special teams (he's a great kick and punt returner) will allow him to carve out a niche in New England. He's a legitimate threat to bump one of the 2013 rookie receivers off of the roster if he stands out in camp.

As a rookie receiver in the complex Patriots' offense, Gallon will only make the roster if he connects with the other Michigan graduate, Tom Brady. After his Round 7 selection Gallon talked about the similarities he had with Brady, being taken in the later rounds of the NFL draft.

"I know for him it wasn’t easy. I know he struggled a little bit and I know with the draft he was waiting too. When he got that chance and when he got his name called he made the best of it."

Gallon, like Brady, will use his draft position to help fuel him to be great. "For me, being in the same situation, I want to follow in his (Brady's) footsteps to be one of the greatest to play the game."